Unique Student Identifier (USI)
A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a 10-character combination of letters and numbers that serves as your lifelong education identifier.
You only need to create a USI once. It provides access to a record of your nationally recognised education and training undertaken in Australia.
For higher education students, a USI is required to be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), access Commonwealth financial assistance, including HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP, and graduate with an Australian higher education qualification.
USI requirements
Your requirement to provide a USI depends on your enrolment and study arrangements.
- Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students
You must provide a valid USI before the first census date of your program.
- Students accessing Commonwealth financial assistance
If you are accessing HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP or other eligible Commonwealth financial assistance, you must provide a valid USI by the relevant census date.
- Full Fee-Paying domestic students
If you are a Full Fee-Paying domestic student, and not accessing Commonwealth financial assistance, you must provide a valid USI before you graduate and receive your qualification.
- International students
If you are an international student studying in Australia, you must provide a valid USI before you graduate and receive your qualification.
You can only create a USI after arriving in Australia. Once you arrive, you should create your USI and provide it to the University as soon as possible.
Who does not require a Unique Student Identifier?
Offshore international students do not require a USI if they completed all their study outside of Australia.
Create or find your USI
Creating a USI is free and can be completed online through the Australian Government's USI website. Before you start, have an accepted form of identification ready.
To create your USI:
- Visit the Australian Government USI website.
- Select the option to create a USI.
- Enter your personal details as they appear on your identification document.
- Verify your identity using an accepted identification document or eligible Digital ID.
- Provide your contact details.
- Set up your account password and security questions.
- Once your application is complete, your USI will be displayed.
Important: Keep your USI somewhere safe and secure, as you will need it throughout your education and training.
Make sure your personal details match
Your personal details in MySR must match the details recorded with the Australian Government's USI Registry.
Your first name, middle name (where applicable), family name and date of birth are particularly important when your USI is verified.
To avoid delays:
- Use your legal name as it appears on your identification document.
- Check that your date of birth is correct.
- Make sure your details in MySR match your USI account.
- Avoid using nicknames, shortened names or preferred names where your legal name is required.
If your personal details have changed, you may need to update them with both Western Sydney University and the USI Registry.
You can update your USI details through the USI Student Portal.
To update your details with Western Sydney University, please visit the Changing your Personal Details webpage.
Already have a USI?
If you have studied in Australia before, you may already have a USI. You can retrieve your existing number through the USI Student Portal.
Do not create a new USI if you have forgotten your existing number.
USI verification issues
When you submit your USI through MySR, the University verifies the number against the Australian Government's USI Registry.
If your USI cannot be verified, check the following:
- Have you entered the correct USI?
- Does your first, middle and last name match your identification document and USI account?
- Is your date of birth correct?
- Have you entered your legal name rather than your preferred name?
- Have your personal details recently changed?
Invalid USI
An invalid result may mean that the USI entered is incorrect or cannot be found in the Registry. Check the number and try again.
No Match
A no-match result generally means that the personal details submitted do not match the information held by the USI Registry. Check your name and date of birth against your USI account.
If your details are correct but verification continues to fail, submit a USI Enquiries WesternNow form.
USI Holds
If you are required to provide a USI and have not done so or your USI cannot be verified, a USI hold may be applied to your student record.
A USI hold will affect your ability to:
- Access your examination results.
- Receive academic documents and transcripts.
- Graduate and receive your qualification.
Resolving a USI hold
To have your USI hold resolved:
- Create a USI if you do not already have one.
- Check that your personal details match those recorded with the USI Registry.
- Submit your USI through MySR.
- If you have already submitted your USI and the hold remains, complete the USI Enquiries form through WesternNow.
Once your USI has been successfully verified, the University will lift the hold.
Support
If you need assistance submitting your USI, resolving a verification issue or removing a USI hold, please submit a USI Enquiry through WesternNow.
Include details of the issue and any relevant supporting information so that the University can assist with your enquiry.
For assistance with correcting your personal details held by the University, please submit a Change of Personal Details form.